The Free Nations League is an extremist[1] organisation that represents 15 liberation movements of nations held captive by Russia.[2] The organization was founded in 2022 in the aftermath of the start of the Russian Invasion of Ukraine.[2]
Лига Cвободных Наций | |
 Logo | |
 Flag of the Free Nations League | |
| Formation | 2022 |
|---|---|
| Founded at | Otepää, Estonia |
| Type | NGO |
| Legal status | Political pressure group |
| Purpose | Secession of ethnic republics (countries) and other regions from the Russian Federation |
| Headquarters | Helsinki, Finland |
Region served | Russia |
President | Radjana Dugar-DuPonte |
| Website | freenationsleague |
History
edit
The group's stated goal is to provide "a broad anti-imperial movement that unites national, socio-political and civil organizations who advocate for sovereignty for the peoples and territories in the Russian Federation."[2] The organization differentiates itself from other groups by explicitly calling for secession from the Russian state. The president of the League, Radjana Dugar-DuPonte urged the citizens of the Russian Federation to prepare for the collapse of the state stating "We cannot say exactly when that moment will come, but we know that it is no longer over the mountains. And we must be ready for it."[2]
The group held its first congress from 4–6 April 2024, in Otepää, Estonia, where the League adopted its charter, principles and values as well as plan for the following years.[2][3] The League announced that it plans to be headquartered in Helsinki with permanent offices in the Baltic states.[2]
The group states that the ethnic republics in Russia are "captive nations" that have had their sovereignty taken from them by Russian authorities by force or threat of force.[4]
The group has been accused of denying inclusion to various groups, and is recognised as an extremist organisation by Prosecutor-General of Russia.[5]
Activities
editThe group sponsors the annual "Captive Nations Week" where members of the various ethnic groups diaspora protest in major cities across the western world.[6] During the 2024 Captive Nations Week, the congress sent a letter to U.S. President Joe Biden to support the independence of national minority regions in Russia, and for more support for Ukraine in its war against Russia.[6]
Represented groups and peoples
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Baltic Russians - Baltic Republican Party[7][8]
Bashkirs - Bashkir National Political Center[7]
Buryats - Buryat Democratic Movement[7]
Chechens[7]
Circassians[7]
Cossacks[3]
Erzyas - Erzian National Movement[7]
Ingrians> - Free Ingria[7]
Kalmyks - Oirat-Kalmyk People's Congress[7]
Mokshas - The Committee of Representatives of the Moksha People[7]
Yakuts[7]
Tatars - Free Idel-Ural[7][a]
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Notes
editReferences
edit- ^ "Генпрокуратура признала нежелательной «Лигу свободных наций» — РБК". amp.rbc.ru. Retrieved 2024-11-04.
- ^ a b c d e f "Free Nations League organised in Estonia". World Congress of Finno-Ugric Peoples. Retrieved 10 September 2024.
- ^ a b Kond, Ragnar. "Free Nations League holds first meeting in Estonia". Eesti Rahvusringhääling. Retrieved 10 September 2024.
- ^ "Free Nations of Russia calls for independence". respublica.lt. Retrieved 10 September 2024.
- ^ "Генпрокуратура признала нежелательной «Лигу свободных наций» — РБК". amp.rbc.ru. Retrieved 2024-11-04.
- ^ a b "Free Nations League sends letter to President Joe Biden". Oirat-Kalmyk People's Congress. Retrieved 10 September 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "People of the League". freenationsleague.org. Retrieved 10 September 2024.
- ^ "Vadim Petrov: The Empire is Afraid of Freedom Fighters". Anti-imperial Block of Nations. Retrieved 10 September 2024.